31 replies to this topic

[Anthonyvop]

Wish I was there to see it.

The USS Constitution will sail under its own power for just the second time in more than a century

[Trendsetter]

A whole ten minute cruise... Poor girl needs to get out for a little longer

[MikeR]

Wish I was there to see it.

The USS Constitution will sail under its own power for just the second time in more than a century

Wonderful to see. The live oak knees used in construction were harvested on my ancestor's property on St. Simon's Island, GA


Cheers,

MikeR

['No.6]

Interesting Mike. You know we recently put my Mom into a retirement residence. While cleaning out her attic I found a small piece of wood in a bag with old pictures and frames for like 100 years or more ago. The peice of wood is measure around 2" x 3" x 3/8", has a small brass ring at one end for hanging it on a wall. There is a small label on it that says it is from the original mast of the USS Constitution.
Great that she still gets out after all these years.

[Bump-n-Grind]

Forecasters say the weather looks favorable. The ship won't move in winds less than five mph and anything over about 15 mph is too high for the old ship.

not too different from some modern designs

[MikeR]

Interesting Mike. You know we recently put my Mom into a retirement residence. While cleaning out her attic I found a small piece of wood in a bag with old pictures and frames for like 100 years or more ago. The peice of wood is measure around 2" x 3" x 3/8", has a small brass ring at one end for hanging it on a wall. There is a small label on it that says it is from the original mast of the USS Constitution.
Great that she still gets out after all these years.

Yet another weird connection.


Glad she's doing well.

Cheers,

MikeR

[zzrider]

Very cool. It will be nice to see the Charles W Morgan sailing again in a couple years too. I'm glad there are still enough people around who care enough to keep these incredible historical ships alive.

[Bow Monkey]

Sure hope there aren't any Britsh flagged boats in the area at the time. Old habits die hard...

[Anthonyvop]

I am hoping some of our more friendly Bostonian members post some pics.

[MikeR]

Very cool. It will be nice to see the Charles W Morgan sailing again in a couple years too. I'm glad there are still enough people around who care enough to keep these incredible historical ships alive.

When the Morgan sails, she will have a whaleboat aboard, made by the kids at Rocking the Boat. Can't wait to see it aboard.


Cheers,

MikeR

[btbotfa]

1345387861[/url]' post='3831301']

1345380995[/url]' post='3831229']
Wish I was there to see it.

The USS Constitution will sail under its own power for just the second time in more than a century

Wonderful to see. The live oak knees used in construction were harvested on my ancestor's property on St. Simon's Island, GA


Cheers,

MikeR

You have ancestors? Thought you just crawled out of the muck in Little Neck Bay!

[opa1]

We must keep our history in tact. It's important to everyone, young and old. Please keep funding in place to achieve that goal.

[Sailfanatic]

Sadly not enough pressure to fill the sails...but the hundred or so CPO candidates on board seemed to be having a good time. Got to fire the cannons too..

Attached Files

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[MikeR]

Wish I was there to see it.

The USS Constitution will sail under its own power for just the second time in more than a century

Wonderful to see. The live oak knees used in construction were harvested on my ancestor's property on St. Simon's Island, GA


Cheers,

MikeR

You have ancestors? Thought you just crawled out of the muck in Little Neck Bay!

Please get your terminology correct, it's mire, not muck.


Cheers,

MikeR

[btbotfa]

Muck and Mire, don't they have a law office on Northern Boulevard, specializing in cases involving claims against sanitation companies?

[SR CHIEF (RET)]

What a great day! And a beeter day for our future Chief Petty Officers. Go Navy!

[MikeR]

Muck and Mire, don't they have a law office on Northern Boulevard, specializing in cases involving claims against sanitation companies?

I believe that they were partners with Espo until the breakup.


Cheers,

MikeR

[Steam Flyer]

What a great day! And a beeter day for our future Chief Petty Officers. Go Navy!

Must be getting harder to make 1st increment.
Still, I bet it was an awesome experience & wish I could go too.

FB- Doug

[kent_island_sailor]

Anyone know why they are so restricted with wind and sail area?
Are they just being extra careful or is the old girl not restored to full strength?

*thinking of how much fun it would be to sail her around Africa and let loose a broadside of grapeshot on some pirates

[SemiSalt]

Will Iran (or North Korea) consider this a provocation?

[IrieMon]

Anyone know why they are so restricted with wind and sail area?

Was wondering the same.... probably crew qualifications versus integrity of the ship

Yahoo Gallery

[Kitty in Drag]

Sure hope there aren't any Britsh flagged boats in the area at the time. Old habits die hard...

My money is on "Old Ironsides"

[kent_island_sailor]

AFAIK they could take out a modern destroyer as long as they get first shot!

[triciarob]

Don't need to shoot. judging by the uss Porter they could just run them over.

[jackdaw]

AFAIK they could take out a modern destroyer as long as they get first shot!

You're right. But sadly modern destroyers shoot BVR...

[kent_island_sailor]

Why would they shoot at an old wood ship?
I guess the SECOND destroyer would be bad news though

AFAIK they could take out a modern destroyer as long as they get first shot!

You're right. But sadly modern destroyers shoot BVR...

[C2D]

Anyone know why they are so restricted with wind and sail area?
Are they just being extra careful or is the old girl not restored to full strength?

On a tour last year, the guide said they only had five sails in the entire inventory. Too costly to make more when they are not used. I thought five was a strange sad number since she could carry twenty-five or more.
He also said the rigging couldn't withstand the strain of having all sails bent on and drawing - something about insurance....(blah)...(blah)....

She's an absolutely beautiful ship!

[BrianM]

I was part of the fund raising to buy those sails back in the early '90s. Had a berth onboard for the first sail as well....until household plans changed. Spent the day moving instead of sailing.

As I recall, she only has foresail, main, mizzen, and two jibs. There was also concern about righting moment, free-flooding, etc. I actually know the current CO - will have to ask him for details.

[adams10]

hey , will someone send some pics to the Aussie defence dept. They specialize in buying really, really old US navy boats for amazingly expensive prices then spending the following few years throwing 100's of millions at them to try and get them operational. In the end the rust can't be overcome so they get mothballed until someone needs a new artificial dive site. That old girl being built in timber will save them millions in not having to battle rust. Maybe we can convince them timber = lower radar profile = stealth technology!

[Ajax]

For all the wealth squandered on stupid shit in this country, it sure would be inspiring to see someone build a fully functional replica, and donate it to the Naval Academy or somewhere, where it would be sailed hard and frequently, and perhaps used as an educational tool.

Being as the wood that the original is built from is now very rare and expensive, I'm sure that the costs would be enormous.

[kent_island_sailor]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy the rest of the sails for the original ship?
Speaking of replicas, the first Pride of Baltimore was an EXACT replica, and just like the originals, she was a dangerous ship requiring a very skilled crew. Maybe that is the issue with the Constitution? The crew may just not be up to handling all that sail area in a good breeze. Maybe they need to borrow the Eagle and get their skills up?

[BrianM]

Anyone know why they are so restricted with wind and sail area?
Are they just being extra careful or is the old girl not restored to full strength?

>>>
The crew may just not be up to handling all that sail area in a good breeze. Maybe they need to borrow the Eagle and get their skills up?

The semi-official answer: sea space and experience. Concerns about the crew's ability to handle the ship or take in sail before getting blown into dangerous water. That apparently set a ship speed limit, which in turn drives a wind speed limit.

Would be interesting to 'borrow EAGLE' just to learn the square rig piece - but then you hit budgets (is it worth spending time to teach that unique skill for a one-per-year turnaround?) and shiphandling - EAGLE has a much different hull and response. Not to mention the current owners of EAGLE probably have different plans....